Hoop-rolling pusher

ABSTRACT

A pusher for use in rolling a hoop wherein a length of rod or wire is bent at one end to form a loop which receives the forward end of the hoop to push it and is bent at its other end to form a second loop which receives a circumferentially disposed portion of the hoop to guide the hoop while it is being propelled. The second loop normally is maintained closed by means of a hook which is biased into engagement with an adjacent portion of the wire.

United States Patent Plasket 1 Oct. 10, 1972 [54] HOOP-ROLLING PUSHER 1,985,557 12/1934 Voss ..46/220 [72] Inventor: Chem musket El Paso, Tex 3,001,325 9/1961 Riccobono ..46/220 731 Assignees: Earl L. Chamber; Donald Maynard, FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS El Paso, m interest to each 598,838 1960 Canada ..46/220 22 i April 9 9 9 54,929 1891 Germany ..46/220 PP N05 814,543 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-A. Heinz [52] U S CI 46/220 Attorney-Leannan, Learman & McCulloch [51] Int. Cl. ..A63h 33/02 58 Field of Search ..46/220 [57] ABSTRACT A pusher for use in rolling a hoop wherein a length of [56] References Cit d rod or wire is bent at one end to form a loop which receives the forward end of the hoop to push it and is UNITE STATES PATENTS bent at its other end to form a second loop which receives a circumferentially disposed portion of the fi gg hoop to guide the hoop while it is being propelled. 904220 11/1908 P "46/220 The second loop normally is maintained closed by 1 152367 8/1915 2? "46/220 means of a hook which is biased into engagement with a. t rti f 1,429,681 9/1922 McDonald ..46/220 a e we 1,906,480 5/1933 Metz ..46/220 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures HOOP-ROLLING PUSHER This invention relates to toys and games and more particularly to a toy or game comprising a device for rolling a hoop. Hoop-rolling devices have been employed in the past, but they generally require the exercise of considerable skill or expertise to guide and control the hoop while the hoop is being propelled.

A prime object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a novel hoop-controlling device for propelling a hoop and easily maintaining it in its upright position.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, a hoop-rolling pusher member for use in rolling a hoop is provided and includes loop means for engaging the forward end of the hoop to push the hoop, and guide means surrounding a circumferentially spaced portion of the hoop for controlling the hoop as it is being propelled, such guide means also constituting handle means extending rearwardly of the hoop.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent from the following description when it is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and the acommpanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a child propelling a hoop with a pusher member formed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the hoop rolling pusher member mounted on a hoop; and

FIG. 3 is a still more enlarged view of the hooprolling pusher member in perspective.

Referring now to the drawing, a hoop construction is generally shown at H and may suitably comprise a continuous cylindrical band or tubular member closed upon itself which may be propelled forwardly by the use of the propelling device formed according to the invention.

The hoop-rolling pusher member generally designated P consists of a length of wire or rod fabricated of any suitable resilient material terminating at one end in a loop 12. The terminal end portion 13 of the loop extends generally parallel to the rod 10 but is spaced therefrom to form an opening 14.

The opening 14 is of such size as to accommodate the hoop H whereupon the rod 10 may be twisted through substantially 90 so as to introduce the hoop to the loop 12. When the hoop is received in the loop, the rearward end of the loop will be able to engage the inner surface 15 of the hoop H when the pusher P is moved forwardly.

The opposite end of the rod 10 is reversely turned as at 16 to form a leg 17 which normally parallels, but is spaced from the adjacent portion of the rod 10. The free end of the arm 17 is bent laterally to form an arm projecting toward the rod 10 and terminating in a hook 18 which releasably embraces the rod 10. The hooked arm, the leg 17, the reversely turned portion 16, and the adjacent portion of the rod 10 form an elongated guide loop 11. The leg 17 is constantly biased, via the resiliency of the reversely turned portion 16, to move away from the adjacent portion of the rod 10, but the engagement of the hook 18 with the rod 10 overcomes the biasing force and maintains the parts 10 and 17 parallel. The length of the loop 7 is such as to enable the reversely turned end 16 thereof to extend sufficiently far rearwardly of the hoop to form a handle.

The hook 18 may be disengaged from the rod 10 by squeezing the parallel portions 10 and 17 and thrusting the hook laterally to enable the hoop to pass into the loop 11. The hook 18 then may be snapped over the rod 10 and is held thereon by the natural resilience of the portion 16.

When the pusher is fitted to the hoop in the manner disclosed, the user may grasp the reversely turned end 16 of the loop 11 and exert a forward force on the pusher to roll the hoop forwardly. The rearward end of the loop 12 thus engages the inner surface 15 of the hoop l-l while the elongated loop 11 guides the hoop and controls its vertical position. ln this manner the hoop may be rotated in circles, along straight lines and in figure eights or other geometrical figures. The handle formed'by the elongated loop 11 always straddles the hoop H so as to provide a vertical control over the hoop.

Due to the elongation of the loop 11, the pusher P may be placed in a desired angle in relation tothe hoop with the rear end of the loop 12 pushing against the inner surface of hoop H, and in this manner provide a versatile tool capable of performing many coordinated moves. Although the hoop may escape from the loop portion 12, the hoop is retained within the elongated loop 11 of the hanDde. Since the device cannot escape the control of the user, it may be safely used, even in an area of crowded traffic conditions. Further, by raising the handle upwardly from the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the loop 12 and the loop 11 will engage circumferentially spaced apart portions of the hoop to steady the hoop as it is being carried by the handle.

It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention rather than as limiting the same in any way since it is contemplated that various changes may be made in the various elements to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A hoop and hoop pusher construction comprising a circular hoop; and an elongate, resilient pusher rod one end of which is bent to form a loop in which a first portion of said hoop is removably positioned, said loop having an opening leading into one side of said loop for passage of said first portion of said hoop into and out of said loop, said rod extending from said loop a distance greater than the diameter of said hoop and along one side of said hoop, the other end of said rod being reversely turned to form a leg spaced from and generally parallel to the adjacent portion of said rod, said leg extending along the opposite side of said hoop with said hoop interposed between said portion of said rod and .said leg, said leg being bent adjacent its free end to form an arm extending through said hoop toward said rod, the terminal end of said arm being bent to form a hook in releasable engagement with said rod, the resilience of said rod being such that said hook constantly is biased via the reverse turn of said rod into engagement with the adjacent portion of said rod, whereby said arm, said leg and the adjacent portion of said rod form an elongate, closed loop accommodating therein a second portion of said hoop circumferentially spaced from the first portion thereof, said elongate loop being of such length as to constitute a handle extending beyond the confines of said loop. 

1. A hoop and hoop pusher construction comprising a circular hoop; and an elongate, resilient pusher rod one end of which is bent to form a loop in which a first portion of said hoop is removably positioned, said loop having an opening leading into one side of said loop for passage of said first portion of said hoop into and out of said loop, said rod extending from said loop a distance greater than the diameter of said hoop and along one side of said hoop, the other end of said rod being reversely turned to form a leg spaced from and generally parallel to the adjacent portion of said rod, said leg extending along the opposite side of said hoop with said hoop interposed between said portion of said rod and said leg, said leg being bent adjacent its free end to form an arm extending through said hoop toward said rod, the terminal end of said arm being bent to form a hook in releasable engagement with said rod, the resilience of said rod being such that said hook constantly is biased via the reverse turn of said rod into engagement with the adjacent portion of said rod, whereby said arm, said leg and the adjacent portion of said rod form an elongate, closed loop accommodating therein a second portion of said hoop circumferentially spaced from the first portion thereof, said elongate loop being of such length as to constitute a handle extending beyond the confines of said loop. 